A longstanding territorial dispute between Nepal and India has resurfaced after Kathmandu lodged a formal diplomatic protest against India’s decision to resume the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage through the contested Lipulekh Pass in the Himalayas.

The disagreement intensified after India, in coordination with China, announced the reopening of the religious route, which passes through an area claimed by Nepal. Kathmandu argues that the Lipulekh region falls within its sovereign territory and has objected to any bilateral arrangements involving the disputed zone without Nepal’s consent.

Nepal’s Foreign Ministry stated that the move undermines its territorial claims and contradicts previous diplomatic understandings between the two countries. Officials reiterated that the disputed areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura are part of Nepal based on historical treaties and maps dating back to the 19th century.

India, however, rejected Nepal’s objections and maintained that the pilgrimage route through Lipulekh has long been operational under Indian administration. New Delhi argued that Nepal’s claims are not supported by historical evidence and reaffirmed its position that the territory belongs to India.

The dispute centers on the interpretation of the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, which defined the boundary between British India and Nepal using the Kali River as a reference point. The two countries disagree on the exact origin of the river, leading to overlapping territorial claims in the strategically important Himalayan region.

The issue has gained renewed geopolitical significance as India and China strengthen cooperation on cross-border trade and pilgrimage access in the area. Analysts suggest that Nepal fears being sidelined in regional decision-making concerning territories it claims as its own.

The diplomatic tensions also come during a period of political transition in Nepal, where the new government under Prime Minister Balendra Shah has adopted a more assertive stance on sovereignty and border-related issues.

Despite the renewed friction, both countries continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining historically close relations. India and Nepal share deep cultural, economic, and social ties, including an open border that facilitates extensive movement and trade between the two nations.

Observers warn, however, that unresolved border disputes could continue to strain bilateral relations unless both sides engage in sustained diplomatic dialogue and establish mutually accepted mechanisms for resolving territorial disagreements.